ATLANTA - President Donald Trump has arrived in Atlanta for the National Championship game.

Air Force 1 landed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base just before 6 p.m. and then Trump was rushed to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown for the big game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Tens of thousands of fans filling the $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta greeted Trump with cheers and a smattering of boos as ROTC members escorted him onto the field for the national anthem. The president stood with his hand over his heart and an American flag pin on his lapel, and sang a few words as Georgia's Zac Brown Band and a gospel choir performed the anthem.

The president watched the game from a private box overlooking the Alabama sideline flanked by ROTC students. The Tuscaloosa News reported that he was scheduled to appear on the Alabama radio broadcast during the game.

Just before 10 p.m., during halftime of the game, Trump left to return to Washington.

Joining the President on the flight was former governor and now-Agricultural Sec. Sonny Perdue. Perdue joined Trump at an event in Nashville prior to the game.

A small group of protesters gathered outside the stadium during the game. There was a spot setup for protesters to gather.